2 weeks self drive itinerary - NB & NS
 

Plan to drive up from Boston. 3 adults. We like sights, nature, scenery & maybe some history. We are not in the rush to see most but would like to definitely see Cape Breton, Halifax, and the Bay of Fundy. If possible eat a lot of seafood. :)

Day 1 St. Martins
Day 2 Alma
Day 3 Wolfville
Day 4 Digby
Day 5 Halifax
Day 6 Halifax
Day 7 Lunenburg
Day 8 Louisbourg
Day 9 Baddeck
Day 10 Baddeck
Day 11 Ingonish
Day 12 Chéticamp
Day 13 PEI
Day 14 PEI

This is the plan. We might drop PEI if it's too hectic.

Suggest good places for Lobster and other sea food along our way preferred by the locals.

You might consider St. Andrews for your first night rather than St. Martins--it's a lovely historical town.

I would go to Lunenburg from Digby via Annapoli Royal and Bridgewater, and then on to Halifax. It's shorter and you won't have to backtrack on your way to Louisbourg.

Between Lunenburg and Halifax, you may be planning to stop at Peggy's Cove. Be warned that, while pretty, it is overrun with bus tours and the like. While you are in Lunenburg, visit Blue Rocks and the Ovens which are both very pretty. Malone Bay and Chester are also worth a stop, so you might want to add a second night for Lunenburg.

When you are in Cape Breton, if you have a chance, stay a night in Margaree Valley at the Normaway Inn. The food is excellent and every Wednesday or Friday night, depending on the month, there is a concert of traditional Cape Breton fiddle music with top performers. You can also hear good traditional music at the Red Shoe Pub in Mabou.

You might want to save PEI for another trip and add the time to Nova Scotia--that would allow for weather delays if the Cabot Trail is rainy or foggy.

Thanks for the tip, laverendrye

We have also decided to scrap PEI from this trip.

Any suggestions on local non-touristy seafood place ?

It's hard to separate seafood from tourists (particularly in Cape Breton) - I don't think you'll dislike the popular places despite the fact tourists are there.

We enjoyed our meal in Baddeck here

https://www.baddecklobstersuppers.ca/

Also in Baddeck we stayed at the Worn Door Step - nice accommodation and reasonable

http://www.worndoorstep.baddeck.com/

In Lunenberg we had some excellent seafood at The South Shore Fish Shack - also the chef has opened a bar adjacent to it - he was doing some interesting sardines when we were there.

http://www.southshorefishshack.com/

It's been a few years since I've visited Nova Scotia, so I'm reluctant to recommend specific restaurants. I agree with Elizabeth_S that you will find tourists everywhere on this itinerary, but that shouldn't deter you from eating in restaurants frequented by them. (I'm not talking about places catering to bus-loads at a time--these are easy enough to avoid). There are many good restaurants along your itinerary and the best recommendation I could make is to get a copy of the latest "Where to Eat in Canada". I have found it very reliable, and it covers many small towns throughout Nova Scotia as well as the rest of the country.

http://www.oberonpress.ca/wheretoeat/